Paleolithic assemblages of the Sartan glacial period in the Northwestern Altai

The article presents the results of research into Sartan Upper Paleolithic assemblages from the Northwestern Altai (MIS 2), originating from caves and open-air sites, and discusses the problems of chronology based on the absolute dates and relative position of lithological layers in profiles at multilayered sites with the established sequence of paleoecological changes in the Pleistocene. According to the composition of assemblages, sites of the region manifest the complete cycle of stone processing. Distributed in time in accordance with climatic and stratigraphic subdivisions of the Sartan glaciation, they contain Final Upper Paleolithic lithic and bone assemblages. Petrographic features of stone artifacts have been identified. Typological and technological description of the techno-complexes is provided. Primary reduction appearing in all complexes was based on parallel splitting. Microblade technologies, reflected in narrow-faced and rare wedge-shaped cores, were present in all assemblages. The toolkit of all sites is distinguished by the combination of artifacts of the Upper Paleolithic typology (various end-scrapers, burins, piercing tools, and retouched blanks) with tool types common for the Middle Paleolithic complexes (side-scrapers, notches, backed knives), which is a typical feature of the Final Upper Paleolithic of Southern Siberia. Many techno-complexes of the Sartan glaciation manifest the use of microlithic technique which is primarily represented by backed bladelets. It has been concluded that stable cultural tradition was preserved throughout a significant part of the Sartan Upper Paleolithic in the Northwestern Altai. The industries under study are similar to the techno-complexes from the Central, Southeastern, and Northeastern Altai, and are comparable with the synchronous sites of Southern Siberia.